Authors

We found that lower cholesterol levels in middle age predicted lower total mortality and better physical quality of life in old age after 39 years of follow-up. No difference was seen in the mental component of quality of life. These findings support current guidelines for cholesterol goals and show that a low risk-factor level in midlife can affect long-term mortality and morbidity, postpone physical disability, and improve quality of life in old age.

ClinkShrink from Shrink Rap

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Genetic Friendships

A review of recent research into the genetics found in social networks.

Alan Berkenwald

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I Before We, When Before Thee

Graduating medical school, "we" all stood and repeated, deep within our private solemnity, a modern version of the Hippocratic oath. Nowhere is a "we" to be seen. Instead, "I swear... I will keep... I will impart... I will follow..." transitions us from students to practitioners.

David H. Spodick, MD, DSc

Making sense of the data is paramount to leveraging stakeholders and to make incentives to bring them all together.

Robert Wachter, MD

Roger Fontes, MD

Shefali Luthra, Kaiser Health News

Marie Daghlain

Erika Mendoza, MD, Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pa, A.J. Rush, MD, The Children's Institute, Pittsburgh, Pa

Rafael

Arthur L. Klatsky, MD: From the Department of Cardiology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Oakland, California.

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Alcohol and hypertension

To determine whether alcohol-associated hypertension carries risks similar to those of hypertension in abstainers or light drinkers, we prospectively studied cardiovascular sequelae separately in heavy drinkers, light drinkers, and abstainers. The risk of all outcomes was progressively higher for increasing blood pressure categories, with similar associations in each alcohol category. These data indicate that the risks of hypertension are independent of the amount of alcohol intake.

Parisa Samimi, MD

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Intrauterine System Matches Efficacy of Hysterectomy in Menorrhagia

While a variety of surgical procedures can treat menorrhagia in premenopausal women, a recent study added a non-surgical alternative to the mix.

Jonathan Gassman, CFP

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Offset Volatility with Some Clever Variety

Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec.

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Sex differences in the development of higher systolic blood pressure during adolescence

We evaluated the differences in higher systolic blood pressure (SBP) between boys and girls in a longitudinal adolescent cohort. Results showed that although boys have a 19% relative increase in the risk of higher SBP annually between the ages of 13 and 17 years, girls do not experience the same risk increase. Among both boys and girls, being overweight increases the likelihood of high SBP almost 3-fold, and every 5 additional hours of "screen time" (television viewing, video game playing, Internet use) is associated with a 4% relative increase in the likelihood of higher SBP levels. For every 5 additional sports-related or other active behaviors over a 7-day recall, there was an 8% relative reduction in high SBP risk. Annual blood pressure assessment in teens that continues into adulthood may facilitate early detection of adult hypertension. Weight control, increased physical activity, and reduced screen time may reduce the likelihood of higher SBP levels developing in adolescents.

Thara Rani Damodaran, MD